Reproductive Coercion and Legal Recognition: Views of Domestic Violence Support Workers and Lawyers

Reproductive coercion is increasingly recognised as a common part of women’s experiences domestic violence. The term refers to behaviour that aims compromise woman’s control over her reproductive choices. It includes coercing woman become pregnant or terminate pregnancy and sabotaging contraception. There no Australian research exploring how violence support legal services understand respond when it raised. Drawing on focus group discussions, this article questions the use terminology ‘reproductive coercion’ suggesting abuse’ may be more accessible. finds response in context similar sexual allegations, particularly regarding difficulties associated with reporting victim being believed. This connection worthy further investigation. concludes legislative change improve recognition coercion.